“Edmonton is a human right city and I think it’s important for us to stand in solidarity with our LGBT brothers and sisters in Russia,” said Dr, Kristopher Wells, director of programs and services at the Institute of Sexual Minority Studies at the University of Alberta.

Wells says Iveson’s tweet gives him hope.

“I saw a tweet that came back from Don Iveson that said he was working on it, so we are hopeful.” he said. “It certainly represents Edmonton and all that we stand for…it’s a chance for people around the world to see us standing up for human rights and standing on the right side of history.”

Activists have viewed this as a positive step against Russia’s discriminatory actions against the LGBT community.

The Sochi Olympics 2014 Google doodle on Feb. 6, 2014. (Google)

Google’s in theme ‘doodle’ was also widely shared Friday night. The image showed the rainbow flag featuring athlete silhouettes above a quote from the Olympic charter which read:

"The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play."